Autonomic dysreflexia also is known as autonomic hyper reflexia Autonomic dysreflexia commonly is caused by visceral distention from a distended bladder or impacted rectum Autonomic dysrreflexia is a neurological emergency and must be treated immediately to prevent a hypertensive stroke Autonomic dysreflexia generally occurs after the period of spinal shocks resolved Autonomic dysreflexia generally occurs with lesions or injuries above T6 and in cervical lesions ASSESSMENT Hypertension Bradycardia Flushing of the face and neck Severe , throbbing headache Nasal stuffiness Piloerection (goose flesh) Sweating Nausea Restlessness Dilated pupils and blurred vision INTERVENTIONNotify the physician if signs of autonomic dysreflexia occur Assess for the potential cause and remove the stimulus Raise the head of the bed to high fowler ‘s position Loosen tight clothing Monitor vital signs , particularly blood pressure , every 15 minutes Assess for bladder distention , and prepare for urinary catheterization If a urinary catheter is present , check for kinks in the tubing and for drainage Assess for a fecal impaction and disimpact immediately

1. AUTONOMIC
DYSREFLEXIA

2. DESCRIPTION
 Autonomic dysreflexia also is known as autonomic hyper reflexia
 Autonomic dysreflexia commonly is caused by visceral distention from a
distended bladder or impacted rectum
 Autonomic dysrreflexia is a neurological emergency and must be treated
immediately to prevent a hypertensive stroke
 Autonomic dysreflexia generally occurs after the period of spinal shocks
resolved
 Autonomic dysreflexia generally occurs with lesions or injuries above T6
and in cervical lesions

3. ASSESSMENT
 Hypertension
 Bradycardia
 Flushing of the face and neck
 Severe , throbbing headache
 Nasal stuffiness
 Piloerection (goose flesh)
 Sweating
 Nausea
 Restlessness
 Dilated pupils and blurred vision

4. INTERVENTION
 Notify the physician if signs of autonomic dysreflexia occur
 Assess for the potential cause and remove the stimulus
 Raise the head of the bed to high fowler ‘s position
 Loosen tight clothing
 Monitor vital signs , particularly blood pressure , every 15 minutes
 Assess for bladder distention , and prepare for urinary catheterization
 If a urinary catheter is present , check for kinks in the tubing and for
drainage
 Assess for a fecal impaction and disimpact immediately